what is mld?

The lymphatic system is our bodies defence system against infection and disease. It is our inbuilt detoxification system and transports toxins, bacteria, excess fluid and metabolic waste out of our bodies as well as producing important immuno-competent cells. If we didn’t have this system, our body would develop severe swelling and death would result in 24 to 48hours.

Daily stress, emotional shock, fatigue, chemical overloads, infection, preservatives and pollution, to name a few, greatly impair the functioning of our tissues and lymphatic pathways.

MLD is a very specific, sequential massage technique that essentially creates more of a vacuum effect in our lymph pathways, stimulating fluid circulation and elimination, assisting our detoxification process. To give you an idea, the lymphatic system on its own can circulate between 1.5-2L of fluid a day, whereas the efficient activation of lymphatic circulation via MLD can increase this to 15-30L a day!

Benefits and uses include:

• Improving immune function (great to have at the start of flu season!)

• Pre- and Post- surgery to soften muscles, reduce scarring and fluid retention as well as speed up healing times.

• Reduction of Oedema (swelling) in acute and chronic injuries

• Treatment of lymphodeama (primary and secondary)

• Sinusitis/hayfever (this is actually where MLD originated - as treatment for hayfever!)

• Post breast surgery

• Improving skin conditions - acne, psoriasis, eczema

• Aesthetically (wrinkles and scarring)

• Constipation and digestive disorders

• Fantastic for oedema during pregnancy

• Bronchitis

• and more!

who is Mld not for?!

MLD is safe for most people being so light a treatment technique, however there are some conditions that are contraindicated for lymphatic drainage.

• Acute inflammation caused by bacteria, viruses or poisons/allergens - this is because the body needs a chance to eliminate them naturally thru phagocytosis before being pushed into the lymph drainage channels

• Malignant tumours

• Thrombosis and phlebitis (could result in clots/DVTs)

• Heart valve insufficiency

• Very low blood pressure as blood pressure drops during MLD

• Sclerosis in a specific area.

Manual lymphatic drainage (30mins) - site specific

A 30min session that includes an opening and closing sequence and lymphatic drainage specifically to a certain site (such as an affected limb or an area pre- or post- surgery…)

30min session — $96

Manual lymphatic drainage (90mins) - full body

A full body lymphatic drainage sequence to activate the entire lymphatic system, fantastic for general immune function, decreasing inflammation in the body, encouraging detoxification, supporting the cardiovascular system and more.

90 min session - $260

What to expect

70% of the lymphatic system lies just underneath the surface of the skin and it works by slowly filtering through the fluid in our body. In order to assist this fantastic filtration system and boost its work ability, there are two MAIN components that need to be addressed. Specifically, speed and pressure.

For MLD to be effective, the therapist has to provide hands on therapy to the patients skin that is incredibly GENTLE and SLOW and delivered in a certain sequence to encourage the lymph to travel in the correct direction. If too firm a pressure is applied, the lymph vessels actually get compressed and then take about 20mins to re-inflate, negating our intent.

Essentially, it is a VERY light and slow type of massage (although, not really a ‘massage’ as the skin isn’t actually glided along, rather it is very gently moved with the therapists hand)